Features of choosing a TV tuner for satellite television

Television is a very powerful thing. It can entertain, teach something new, and report news - there are channels and programs for every taste. Of course, its popularity has been declining somewhat recently due to the spread of fast Internet, but it is still too early to write off TV. Nevertheless, the field continues to develop: interactive projects, new channels are appearing, and the equipment is becoming more technologically advanced from year to year. No one is surprised by the ability to record a specific program on an external medium for viewing at a convenient time, or access to the Internet - this and much more can be done on modern TVs without any additional equipment.

However, owners of old equipment still have to deal with the issue of purchasing a special receiver. At the moment, there are IPTV, cable, digital and satellite television receivers on sale, but we will focus only on the last two. The reasons are simple: fast Internet, like cable television, is not available in all settlements of our vast country, and where it is, people have long been using modern televisions that initially support these standards. Digital television is slowly replacing analogue and is widespread almost everywhere, and satellite television can work even in Antarctica, if you can tune in to the right satellite. In our ranking, you will traditionally find the best representatives from each category. Go!

The best satellite receivers

Let's start with a more complex system in all respects - satellite television. To watch video from orbit you will need not only a TV and receiver, but also a satellite dish. Because of this, the cost of the finished system is high. It is also worth considering that installation and configuration will require certain skills. The main advantage of satellite television is the ability to install it almost anywhere in the world. Yes, you will have to follow several rules, but the result will pleasantly surprise you.

But there is another fly in the ointment - not all channels are free. To access paid resources, you must additionally purchase a card from a local provider. The most popular are Tricolor and NTV+. Of course, these same companies also sell equipment, but its quality and cost raise many complaints.

NTV-Plus 710HD

Satellite receiver for watching NTV-PLUS standard and high definition television. Built-in productive processor MSD7S55BZ3, and modules of permanent and RAM with a capacity of 128 and 256 MB. According to these indicators, it is inferior to the Galaxy Innovations S8120. Equipped with an Ethernet port for connecting to the Internet at a speed of 100 Mb/s, and via USB 2.0 you can connect external hard drives or flash drives. This makes it possible to record programs (PVR) unless they are subject to copyright restrictions.

You can pause while watching a live broadcast (Time-shift). From external drives you can play files in the following formats: DivX, AVI, MKV, MP3, JPEG, etc. Supports reliable reception of channels in the DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards with 8PSK, QPSK modulation and MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 video signal compression (AVC/H.264). The tuner can control external switching devices via DiSEqC 1.0 and 1.1 protocols. There is an Ethernet port for connecting the receiver to the Internet. NTV-PLUS 710 HD VA has standard outputs for connecting to different TV models: HDMI interface and RCA (tulips).

Advantages:

1. You can watch channels in HD quality with FullHD resolution.
2. Very convenient navigation through channels, quick switching between them.
3. Intuitive menu.
4. There are many connectors for connecting to TV on the rear panel.

Flaws:

1. High price.
2. For more correct operation, you need to immediately update the software.
3. Due to a weak processor, the receiver slows down.

The model does not stand out from the rest, it beats only DTS 54. Otherwise, in terms of its functionality and parameters, it is very similar to the Galaxy Innovations S8120 and World Vision Foros Combo T2/S2 with the difference that the price of the NTV-Plus 710HD receiver is 3,690 rubles . For less money you can get a device no worse than this model. When connecting the 710HD, you will have to update the software yourself, but this does not help: applications will slow down due to a weak processor and a small amount of RAM. There are no complaints about the quality of the image, assembly, speed of channel switching, everything works perfectly.

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The best digital receivers

At the beginning of 2021, Norway announced that it would completely stop using analogue radio broadcasting in favor of digital. The case, it would seem, is far from us, but very indicative, because the process of transition to “digital” in television is happening in our country at the moment. New technology allows you to transmit higher quality images over a greater distance. It would seem that there are only advantages, but not all homes today have modern TVs with DVB T2 support. Fortunately, the problem is solved very simply - by purchasing an external receiver, the cost of which is very low. The only thing worth remembering is that you need a decimeter antenna, but you almost certainly already have one.

DTS 54

The DTS-54 receiver is equipped with a satellite tuner that receives a signal in the DVB-S/S2 standards using QPSK and 8PSK modulation. Does not support receiving channels with HEVC compression. The receiver has a satellite tuner for working with one TV. Of the communication connectors, there is only an HDMI port, so you can only connect to it modern models of LCD TVs equipped with such a port.

Older CRT TVs cannot be connected to this receiver, since there are no analogue RCA or SCART connectors. The DTS-54 model is equipped with a card reader with authorization via a smart card. The DTS 54 model has the following functions: EPG program guide, teletext/subtitles, list of favorite channels. The World Vision Foros Combo T2/S2 model is more functional and more versatile than the DTS 54.

Advantages:

1. Doesn't get hot during operation.
2. Small dimensions and weight.
3. Affordable price.
4. Switching channels works without delay.

Flaws:

1. Small number of functions.
2. Only one connection - via HDMI.
3. Cannot connect to older TV models.

A model with little functionality, suitable only for more modern TVs with an HDMI port. This receiver is not suitable for older TV models. I consider this the main disadvantage of the device - it is not universal. Otherwise, it works flawlessly, does not slow down, does not heat up, unlike the World Vision Foros Combo T2/S2. Although DTS 54 has less functionality, which affects the speed of the receiver itself. Price - 1880 rubles.

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The best cable receivers

Similar models support DVB-C modulation. They transmit data using the MPEG2 or MPEG4 compression standard. Cable receivers are widespread in large cities, but their popularity is also growing in the regions.

Lumax DV-4205HD

4.9

★★★★★

editorial assessment

92%

buyers recommend this product

The device's remote control has the ability to learn: it remembers the user settings of each channel and allows you to create a database of favorites. The device provides viewing of programs in a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. Support for the MeeCast application makes it possible to display images from a smartphone on the TV screen.

The powerful GX3235S processor and constant software updates ensure the device's performance when processing digital signals or working with media files. The ability to connect third-party devices using a USB port allows you to record programs on external media or play back videos from portable storage devices.

Advantages:

• easy installation;
• powerful processor;
• a high resolution;
• short circuit protection;
• convenient control.

Flaws:

• Difficult setup of the remote control.

Lumax DV-4205HD is worth purchasing to watch TV channels in accordance with DVB-T/T2/C standards. An excellent choice for advanced cable broadcasters.

Oriel 421D

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

89%

buyers recommend this product

A special feature of the model is the high quality of sound transmission. This is achieved through support for the Coaxial connector, which makes it possible to output stereo multi-channel audio. Additional features of the device include functions of a TV guide, recording timer, TimeShift, etc.

Supported television broadcasting standards are DVB-T, T2 and C. The set-top box can be used as a media player to play video or music in high quality.

Advantages:

• clear menu;
• clear sound;
• Ease of use;
• LED display;
• economical energy consumption.

Flaws:

• heating during operation.

Oriel 421D is used to receive signals according to modern digital and cable standards. An excellent solution for lovers of movies and high-quality music playback.

Digifors HD 73

4.8

★★★★★

editorial assessment

88%

buyers recommend this product

The built-in Wi-Fi adapter ensures comfortable use of the model not only for watching digital broadcasting channels, but also for working with Internet services such as YouTube or Megogo.

The device has two USB connectors for simultaneous connection of an external drive and a personal computer. The remote design of the power supply ensures that the set-top box does not overheat when processing high-resolution recordings.

Advantages:

• Wi-Fi support;
• convenient control;
• 2 USB outputs;
• built-in IPTV application;
• Program Guide.

Flaws:

• long channel switching.

Digifors HD is designed for viewing digital terrestrial and cable TV channels. The receiver works with broadcast standards such as DVB-C and DVB-T/T2, and also supports a number of Internet services.

Perfeo Stream

4.7

★★★★★

editorial assessment

85%

buyers recommend this product

Thanks to a large number of connectors of various types, the model can be connected to a TV, laptop and other devices in any convenient way. Support for external hard drives gives the user access to storing up to 1 terabyte of media files in AVI, MP3, JPEG, MKV, etc. formats.

Supported standards include DVB-T, DVB-C, DVB-T2. The image is broadcast on the screen in resolution up to 1080p. The receiver uses a built-in DVM antenna to receive the signal. This is enough for stable transmission of about 20 TV channels with high quality images.

Advantages:

• quick installation;
• large amount of memory;
• Software Update;
• user-friendly interface;
• low price.

Flaws:

• a small number of buttons on the remote control.

Perfeo STREAM is convenient to use with various devices. The set-top box is worth purchasing for both fans of watching movies in good quality and viewers of TV shows. An excellent solution for family use.

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12 best TV set-top boxes

Purpose

The main task of any receiver is to receive and decrypt a digital signal of the DVB-S2 standard for subsequent output of image and sound to an output device. It serves as a tuner for a satellite dish.

These devices include two types of set-top boxes:

• Smart receivers. They can decode signals from different broadcast standards (T2/S2/C) and have Internet access. Receiving DTV from satellite is only one of the capabilities of this set-top box.
• Satellite receivers. It is designed specifically for receiving analogue and digital satellite broadcasts.

Due to the fact that a whole set (dish + set-top box) is needed to receive a signal from a satellite, Smart set-top boxes are purchased extremely rarely for these purposes (for example, to replace a conventional device). The vast majority of conventional satellite TV set-top boxes are purchased both as a set and separately. Only they will be considered in the future.

Specifications and Features

Digital satellite receivers are characterized by the following differences from decoders of other broadcast formats:

• A colossal number of physical channels. This is due to the fact that satellite TV has global coverage, and the user can technically receive foreign TV channels. Also, global broadcasting has a larger broadcast frequency range (1 - 3 GHz) versus terrestrial (0.03 - 1 GHz), which allows you to broadcast thousands of programs. The basic number of physical channels in a device is 1000 or 6000.
• There are two RF-IN sockets for connecting antenna cables for analogue and digital broadcasting. To receive terrestrial ATV and DTV, different antennas are required (VHF and UHF ranges). To capture a signal from a satellite, the receiver uses heads that are mounted on one dish with several cables coming out of each.

Important!
If your digital TV has a satellite TV tuner, you don't need a set-top box! Digital receivers do not differentiate between analog and digital broadcasts. Regardless of the head from which the broadcast is received, the device recognizes it only as a regular signal with a specific frequency. From a technical point of view, there are no boundaries between ATV and DTV; the user only receives images with different clarity.

For this reason, physical channels are not tied to a specific frequency and the basic settings can always be changed to the desired ones. This complicates the process of searching for channels in the receiver settings, but provides the user with complete freedom of configuration.

How to choose

Which satellite receiver is better? A high price does not mean a good receiver. The choice really depends on your needs. The higher the requests, the correspondingly more expensive the device will be. When choosing a device for your personal use, you need to pay attention to all technical characteristics.

First of all, determine for yourself the range of TV channels that you would like to watch. Satellite television has paid and free channels. Research in advance. If you are satisfied with the range of free TV channels, and you do not want to pay any fee for using the set-top box (receiver).

Pay attention to the design and clear interface, also in the settings there is the Russian language. If you are not strong in this topic and doubt whether you can make an unmistakable choice, then as an option you can choose set-top boxes from well-known satellite operators: Tricolor TV, NTV +, RADUGA TV, etc. By choosing one of the operators you like, you will receive a complete set for enjoying satellite channels, from the antenna to the set-top box. The plus is that you don’t have to rack your brains over the choice, but the minus is the following. Switching to another signal will not work, because the set-top box is programmed for a specific satellite. It will not be possible to reconfigure and reflash them.

Also, using them you get a telecard for the satellite receiver. By replenishing the balance of this card, the list of available TV channels will expand.

Important! You should not trust very cheap devices and buy very expensive ones if the TV model does not support FHD resolution. There is a risk that the console will simply not be compatible.

In some regions, the satellite TV signal is different. So, for example, if the receiver picks up the signal well in Moscow, this does not mean that outside the city the signal will be clearly transmitted by the satellite receiver to the TV.

A number of receivers already have a built-in or allow you to connect a hard drive, which allows you to record TV shows. That is, you can watch one channel and record on another channel. The right choice is influenced by your desires and needs from TV. Study which channels are broadcast from which satellite. Also pay attention to additional options in the device itself.

Which receiver is better to buy

The first thing you should pay attention to before purchasing such equipment is the appearance and controls. For comfortable use of the receiver without a remote control, all the main buttons must be located on the front panel.

But the determining factor remains the number and type of ports on the case:

• To view paid satellite TV packages, you should consider the presence of a card reader and a CL interface.
• The USB connector allows you to play files from external storage devices.
• To transmit a high-definition digital signal, you will need an HDMI connector.
• To connect the device to the Internet, local network or personal computer, an Ethernet port is required.
• Updating the set-top box software is easiest when using RS232.

The functionality of a device is determined by its labeling. There are several types of cable and satellite receivers. These include FTA models designed for viewing open TV channels, PVR models with the ability to record television programs, as well as set-top boxes with a built-in conditional access decoder, recommended for using the services of satellite operators.

It is best to purchase combined models that support all major cable, satellite and terrestrial broadcasting standards.

The ease of use of the receiver is affected by the speed of the processor. Comfortable viewing of TV channels in high quality or working with media files of various formats requires a clock frequency of at least 400 MHz. Set-top boxes that have the ability to record a video stream must also have a large amount of built-in memory. The minimum value to use TimeShift or broadcast acceleration features is 256 MB.

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